Turkey Basters and Bicycle Kids

On the positive side of things today, Helen began at the library. Cool, Hello Helen. Tracy sorts the post issues (top job). Nicola giggles as she watches me during a discussion on breastfeeding (she reckons can see the invisible fingers in my ears and the internal la-la-la going on - what else you gonna get when you get two mothers in the same room who have young kids - meanwhile I'm mid-cataloguing and marginally oblivious to everything - at least that's what I'm telling myself). Mind you I'm lucky to be able to catalogue, the web element of N3 is up and down like a whores knickers today. No consistency at all. Luckily I'm able to download Marc records to work on in MarcEdit in the periods the thing is up, which means I can function when it's flaky. Take advantage of an up moment and I'm laughing. A box of books down.

Home via the bagwash to sort the Harry Houdini clothing from the washing machine. Nip the shop for cereal and batteries. The batteries power the combo from the toy electric guitar and mic that Cal had delivered for Crimble yesterday. By the time I'm home Monst and the boy have eaten. We get a performance of Karaoke Cal's version of 'Oo-de-lally' complete with Townsend windmills etc.

Cal decides he wants to join me in my dinner and dictate what it should be. Homemade burgers it is then! He watches TV, I do a little work and Bob's your Aunty. Meanwhile Arsenal keep me company as I wash up and they seem to have rediscovered where the net is after their trip to Bramall Lane. 4-0 to shut up the Reading Judas , Pardew.

Aaaaargh! I get home and the neighbourhood Bicycle Kid and his mate yell at me that I'm a 'Fat Bastard', while the former is a statement of fact the latter would require one of the following:

• The date my parents claim for their wedding is a matter of dispute
• My mother was playing away
• My mother suffered a period of gestation longer than that of an elephant, and while I freely acknowledge I can be an awkward bastard and I was breach to boot, I'm not that awkward.

Trouble is I'd hazard a guess that none of the three is in fact the truth. I'm not impressed and because I know where the Bicycle Kid lives, let his folks know. I wouldn't have been bothered if it had been anyone else but this one has history..... also suspect there is some level of responsibility for some cherry knocking that's been going on recently. A neighbour was telling me the other day if he catches the bugger at it he's tempted to slap the little bugger. While I don't see it as a likely scenario, it is reassuring that it ain't just me!

As with Ken I take the opportunity to watch 'This Life +10', it's alright and doesn't piss all over the original series, which to be honest is a relief. Wash it down with a bottle of Young's Special London Ale, which kinda seems appropriate given the TV and footie result.

Quick blink of the late days news and relax with a quick blog.......

It's on Spiral Scratch

Another day working from home because the gas man turns up at 12:30 and leaves around 1.00. Not good because by the time I'd have arrived at Reggie I'd've had to turn back to be back here for Cal. Still I download a shed load of Marc records and start the process of preparing them for import into Liberty. Monst calls from the smoke a coupla times.

I'm a Crab on a Verdigris Slab

Catalogue-a-go-go round ours today. Monst mails me the crucial spreadsheet with a little help over the phone, the Marc records are downloaded, the records are amended and uploaded, just need a quick keyword and Bob's your Aunty. More importantly, Mo proves the sharing principle by importing the Mersey & Cheshire books into her copy of Liberty. A bit of success on the old Heritage front and it'll be all systems go.

Hitchcock at home, straight to the lugholes, catalogue away. Looks like Dave's crew have put up a creditable fight in the FA Cup.

Vampire Frogs and Aztec Magick

Odd day, some playing with Marc, some extra sleep which is invaded by a dream about a vampire frog (tree frog size, with an orange stripe down the side and black skin, it bit my left big toe) and the viewing of 'The Last Aztec' which is as good as promised. Also threatens the prospect of dreams involving human sacrifice as well as bloody vampire frogs. Feel my subconscious needs a bloody stiff talking to right now. Monday also looms on the horizon.....

Evening

MarcEdit keeps me busy (yes Ken, sad librarian tool!) and I get the first file away to those wishing to play. Cock ups along the way are of my own making. Run some searches, do some legal stuff for Iqbal and generally catch up with myself.

Today is Monst's birthday, she's due in work but fell down the stairs and damaged her knee, fetch food and flowers on the way home but forget the cake. Cake is essential for Cal to celebrate someone's birthday so go off and fetch it once I get the dinner on. Feed eat, and begin 'The Wintersmith'.

Boys Are Out Tonight

Leave work at chinese dentist, home in time to prepare dinner for the boy who turns up with a bag of skittles to play. We throw a couple of balls before Cal decides it is better to hit me with the skittles. This I generally do not appreciate but after a while it isn't so bad!

Mrs Raven is running a little late, but that's cool. She's Cal's tutor and they do there thing while I grab a shower and change into stuff aimed to keep me warm tonight. Cal I've already taken out of school uniform and put into warm clothing. Next stop for us is Goodison.

Grab me a copy of the very wonderful MarcEdit and do some work as I wait on the folks downstairs finishing off so we can head out. Which even works for an ignorant git like me.